House committee backs tax hike

A House committee added a new level of drama to the state budget picture today, voting for a major tax increase backed last night by the Senate.

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Today: House committee backs tax hike

May 30: Ill. Senate OKs higher taxes to cut deficit

A House committee added a new level of drama to the state budget picture today, voting for a major tax increase backed last night by the Senate.

The House budget committee handling education issues voted 11-6 for House Bill 174, which would bring in more than $5 billion next year by a 2 percent income tax increase and a broader sales tax. It now heads to the full House.

Lawmakers are scrambling to wrap up a budget by midnight and finish their spring session. If they can't, it will take more votes and new cooperation to put a spending plan in place for the budget year beginning July 1.

Supporters have argued that the tax plan would provide much-needed cash for schools, human services and other vital needs at a time when the state has a budget hole of about $11.6 billion. Without this cash, deep spending cuts will be forced.

Gov. Pat Quinn prefers an alternative plan he proposed that would call for a slightly smaller income tax increase. But he urged the committee to approve the plan and set it up for a full House vote and "robust debate" over its merits.

"We must have a balanced budget, and that will mean taking a very difficult vote to get more revenue," Quinn said before leaving the committee hearing.

Rep. David Miller, D-Lynwood, broke down in tears in urging his colleagues to support the measure. He then received a lengthy round of applause.

"This is something I've fought for for a very long time. I just think it's the right thing to do to deal with this problem," Miller said with his voice cracking.

But critics said this tax plan didn't provide enough long-lasting aid for schools or change the property tax system to ensure Illinois leans less heavily on property tax wealth to pay for education.

"I don't think it accomplishes what it needs to accomplish either for my district or the state of Illinois," said Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, R-Des Plaines.